Enema apparatus



M. E. STACK ENEMA APPARATUS Jan. 16, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March4, 1947 INVENTOR. /Waxyf. Side/r HTTO/P/VE Y5 M. E. STACK ENEMAAPPARATUS Jan. 16, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 4, 1947 INVENTOR. 1J'Tac/r Patented Jan. 16, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2,538,215ENEMA APPARATUS Mary E. Stack, Seattle, Wash. Application March 4, 1947Serial No. 732,302

This invention relates to apparatus for use in connection withadministration of enemas or othor internal baths or irrigations.

While administration of an enema is a necessary treatment in probably amajority of cases of sick people, yet enema apparatus now in practicaluse has not been improved for years.

Prior art apparatus employed in this particular field generallycomprised a water bag, tube, and a hose connection between the water bagand the tube. A difliculty in such prior art apparatus was thatpressures were built up within the patient and need of relief therefromnecessitated the interruption of the enema and then it was necessary tostart the enema all over again after discharge of gas, liquid, and fecalmatter.

Also prior art enema apparatus was not of a design so that adequate andpainless enemas could be given. It is an object of my invention toprovide an improved appliance for use in giving an adequate andefiicient enema which will at the same time make the application of medicated solutions in the colon less painful and more effective because ofless pressure on delicate tissues. Properly trained personnel with theuse of this apparatus can readily give an effective enema withoutcausing pain, distension or overloading of the colon.

It is a further object of my invention to provide apparatus which willreadily permit the giving of an adequate enema even in cases where acolonhas static ataxia, poor muscular action and is lazy.

Other objections found in the prior art included the use of a singletube and the absence of inlet and discharge opening in a tube which tubecould be left in the colon of a patient at all times during the enema orother internal irrigation treatment. 1

It is anobject of my invention to provide a tubular member which can beinserted in the colon of a patient and which can be maintained there atall times during the enema or other internal irrigation treatment.

It is a further object of my a receptacle 'for clean or fresh treatingsolution (hereafter called clean can) a receptacle for slightly soiledtreating solution (hereafter called invention to. provide soil can) anda third receptacle for containing liquid and other matter which isnotagain tobe used (hereafter called discharge can).

It is a further object of my invention to provide valve means disposedbetween the various mentioned cans and the tube which is to be insertedinto the colon of a patient so that anyone 6 Claims. (Cl. 128-227) of aplurality of positions can be selected during the treatment of thepatient. As the selected medicants which are added to provide theoriginal treating solution from no part of the present invention, theywill not be discussed. However any treating solution desired by thephysician or nurse can be readily administered by th apparatus of myinvention.

The various predetermined positions which may be selected will bediscussed hereafter in detail; however, a normal operating position ofstructure embodying my invention, is to provide for free passage fromthe clean can to the patient and free passageway from the patient to thesoil can.

Another object of my invention is to provide a position so thatimmediate gas relief can be provided for the patient at all timeswithout requiring removal of the tube from the patient.

Another object of the invention is to provide auxiliary pressureproviding means so that, when necessary, auxiliary pressure can beprovidedto stimulate the organs involved so that free flow of liquid-ispossible.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus having suitableindicia so that the operative positions of the several parts'are readilyapparent.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus which may bereadily sterilized.

The above mentioned general objects of my invention together with othersinherent in the same are attained by the device illustrated in theaccompanying drawings throughout which like reference numerals indicatelike parts: I

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view in elevation and with partsbroken away illustrating the apparatus of this invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a detached elevational view of the valve looking in thedirection of broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 3 is a sectional view with parts in elevation, taken substantiallyon broken line 3--3 of r represents one valve setting and wherein theview to the left in each figure is taken substantially on broken liney-y of Fig. 3 and the view to the substantially on the clean can It canalways be maintained above any liquid level in the soil can i l. On theaverage, the maximum capacity of a patient for liquids during an enemais about 3 pints and thus the volume capacity of the soil can i l, belowthe floor of the clean can 53, may be slightly over 3 pints and thus atall times the liquid level in the soil can M cannot reach the liquidlevel inthe'clean can [3. Clean enema treating solution is firstinserted in the clean can 13 and passes via conduits I6 and 2! to thecolon of a patient. Soiled enema treating solution passes from the colonof the patient via conduits 22. and It to the container [4 for soiledenema treat-ing solutions. Due to the capacity of the soiled can M-below the floor level of the clean can solutions can flow from the cleancan it through the passageways mentioned and to the soiled can it. Wealways have, because of the construction mentioned, a tendency of theliquids to flow in the direction mentioned. However, as the levels ofliquids in the cans l3 and Hi approach each other, the difference inheadbetween the liquids in cans i3 and M diminishes and a tendency toflow ceases. However, because of the volume capacity of the soiled canit belov. the clean can it there is a tendency of liquids to flow fromcan [3 to can 14 until the liquids approach a common elevation and thedifferential in head is eliminated. Obviously, there is no tendency, inView of the construction mentioned, for liquids to flow from the soiledcan i i toward and into the clean can IS.

The valve-member, indicated generally by M5, is connected by flexiblehose members it and i? with the clean and soil cans i3 and It. The valvemember [5 comprises an outer casing [8 having a hanger l9 so. that. thevalve member #5 may be suitably supported in suspension at any desiredelevation. The hanger i9 is connected toany fixed support such assupport as. Also the clean and soil cans l3 and M are provided with anysuitable means (not shown) so that they can be adjustably supported by afixed supporting means at any desired elevation above the valve member[5.

The valve member i5 is provided with suitable nipples so that flexiblehose. members it, H, 2!, 22 and 23 are connected respectively with ports24,. 25, 26, 2'5 and 28 respectively in casing. l8. Disposed betweenport and flexible hose 2| is a rubber bulb 29 and disposed between port2? and flexible hose 22 is another rubber bulb 3@. These rubber bulbsare of the usual type which upon squeezing the same provide additionalair pressure in the flexible hoses 2i and 22 depending of course uponthe particular bulb which is squeezed. As these bulbs 29 and 3t are ofthe common type which are used in connection with syringes; they are notillustrated in detail nor are they further described as such is believedsufficient for those skilled in this art. The hoses ill and 22 connectwith a tube 3| which is to be inserted into the colon of the patient andwhich is shown somewhat diagrammatically in Fig. l and is shown on alarger scale in Fig. 5. The flexible hose 23 is connected to thedischarge can 32.

Referring now in more detail to the valve member I5 (see also Figs. 6 to12 inclusive), the ports 2 and are in casing it and are diametricallyopposite and likewise ports 25 and 2"! are in casing it and aresimilarly alined. The sleeve member 33 has ports 3 3 and 3% which arediametrically opposite and which can be moved into and out of alinementwith the ports 2 and 2%.

Also said sleeve has ports 35 and 37 which are diametrically oppositeand can be moved into and out of alinement with the ports 25 and 2?.Also the sleeve 33 has ports 38 and 39 (see Fig. 4 and also the view tothe right of each of Figs 6 to 12 inclusive) and these ports 38 and 39can be moved into and out of alinement with the ports 25 and 2 5. Theport '10 in the end. wall of sleeve member 33 is movable into and out ofalinement with the port 28 in the casing [8 (see Figs. 3, i and views tothe right in Figs. 11 and 12).

A barrel ll has a plurality of passageways which are adapted to be movedinto and out of alinement with the various ports in sleeve member 33. Atthe level of the ports 34 and 36 in the sleeve 33, inter-connectedpassageways 42, and l i are provided in the barrel 4|. The passageway Mis of much less diameter than the passageways iii! and 43' and isdesigned for a controlled trickle of liquids therethrough and forpurposes hereinafter more specifically mentioned. At the level of theports 35 and 31 in the sleeve 33, through passageways iil and 416 areprovided and also is provided a passageway 47 inter-connecting with saidpassageways 45 and Mi. Passageway 571A connects to passageway 45 andneed not be of as large a diameter as the other passageways. Passageways35, 56, MA and i are connected with passageways 4S and 4e. Passageways43 and 4 9 may be moved into and out of registration with port fill insleeve member which in turn may be moved into and out of registrationwith port 28 in casing IS.

The sleeve member 33 is rotatablymounted' in the casing 48 and in turnthe barrel 4| is rotatably mounted in the sleeve member 33. The saidsleeve member 33 has independent means to rotate it and likewise thebarrel 3! has independent means to rotate it. As illustrative of a meansto rotate the sleeve member 33, pins or projections 56 (Fig. i) arecarried by the sleeve member These pins or projections 53 inter-fit inopenings 5! in plate 52. The plate 52 has a hub integral therewith andthe hub 53 is mounted for rotary movement on a shaft 54, which saidshaft is integral with the barrel 41. Thus the sleeve plate 52 and hub53 are mounted for relative rotary motion as respects the barrel ii.Means to permit ready rotation of the hub 53 and in turn the sleevemember 33 are provided by a thumb lever 55 which may be threadedlyinter-connected with a bore 56 in hub 53.

an illustration of means to provide ready rotary adjustment of thebarrel 4!, the shaft 58- is provided with a squared portion 5? and amating squared opening 58 in lever 58. Nut means is of a size to bedetachably secured to the threaded portion Si or" the shaft es.

In order to assemble the parts from that shown in exploded relation inFig. 4, the sleeve member 33 is inserted into the bore of the casing l8.Then the barrel 4| is slidably inserted into the sleeve member 33. Thenthe plate 52 is inserted in place with the openings 5| thereofregistering with the pins or projections 50 carried by the sleeve member33. Then the cap 62 is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion 63of casing l8. Next the lever 55 is threaded in the bore 56 of the hub53. Then the lever 53 is inserted in place with the squared opening 58thereof registering with the squared portion 51 of the shaft 54. Thenthe nut means 60 is tightened and all parts are held in the positionshown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

As will appear in Fig. 2 of the drawing, the portion 54, of the lever59, can be caused to register with the numerals or other appropriateindicia means, as 1 to 5 inclusive, which indicia are on the radiallyouter portion of the cap 62. The notch 65 registers with suitableindicia means radially inwardly on the cap 62, as indicia means 1 to 3inclusive: open, emit gas, and shut. Thus the radially inward indiciameans indicate the position of the sleeve 33 and the radially outwardindicia means indicate the position of the barrel The tube 3 I,indicated generally in Fig. 1 of the drawing and shown more in detailFig. 5, is provided with an inlet opening 66 and a plurality ofdischarge openings 61. I Preferably the inlet opening 66 is at the endportion as indicated and preferably the discharge openings 61 are on thesides as indicated. Thus the muscles and tissue of the colon will nottend to interfere with the inlet of liquids via inlet opening 66, andupon distension of the colon then the openings 61 will be available fordischarge of liquid, gases or fecal matter.

The tube 3| may be first inserted in the colon of a patient and then theclean can I3 and soiled can M as well as the valve are moved to suitableelevations above the patient with the valve members in the positionshown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. There is no flow of liquid past valve'as all ports are closed. Thus the desired treating solution may beplaced in clean can [3 either before or after the tube 3| is inserted inthe colon of the patient. Due to the fact that I have provided for adischarge via openings 6'1 very little head is required to cause liquidto flow from the clean can l3 into the colon of a patient. In otherwords by being able to provide for the entrance of liquid and dischargeof gases and prevention of building up pressures Within a patient, thenthe liquid may be caused to enter a patient and with very little head.As soon as there is a muscle relaxation, the liquids tend to flow withlittle or no head as apparently atmospheric pressure is greater than theinternal pressure within a patient. Also movement of the diaphragm ofthe patient apparently changes the internal pressure and the liquid ineither clean can he or soiled can l4 tends to rise and fall with thediaphragm movement of the patient.

By providing a device where I can cause the liquids at a minimum head toflow to the patient, then I can wait until there is sufficientrelaxation of muscles or sufii-cient diaphragm movement so that theliquids tend to move inwardly into the patient.

Also if the muscles are tense and do not tend liquid from inlet opening66. Similarly if fecal matter tends to block the discharge openings 61,then to stimulate flow, the bulb 30 may be squeezed. Of course wheneither bulb 29 or 30 is squeezed the valve should be closed so that allof the air pressure provided by squeezing of the bulb is in the tube 2|or 22 and does not pass out through the valve l5 to the atmosphere or toany of the particular cans involved. The various foregoing matters havebeen considered at this point as they are useful in determining therelative elevations of the cans I3 and I4, the valve I5, and thepatient.

The position of the valving parts as indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawingis such that solution will not flow either to or from the patient andmay thus be considered an initial position, and thus the apparatus isready for manipulation to provide the desired treatment. When the partsare in the relative positions shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, then theportion 64 of the lever 59 registers with the numeral 1 and the notch 65on the hub 53 registers with the numeral 1 or op n The normal positionsof the parts during through registering port 26 in casing l8, throughhose 2 l, and out via inlet opening 36 in tube 3| to the colon of thepatient. At the same time discharge from the patient to the soil can I4is possible via discharge openings 6'! in tube 3 I, through hose 22,through port 2'1, through registering port 31, through registeringpassageway 45, through registering port 35, through registerin port 25,and thence via hose IT to soil can l4. There is no connection to thedischarge can 32 as passageways 48 and 49 are--not in registration witheither port 28 or port 48. In Fig. 7 of the drawings, ports 28 and 43are in registration and thus only the upper port as viewed in thedrawings, namely port 43, is numbered.

During the normal position of the apparatus as indicated in Fig. '7 ofthe drawing, liquids tend to flow from the clean can I3 into the colonof the patient and in due course the liquids then tend to leave thecolon and rise in the soil can l4. If during treatment it becomesdesirable to discharge any material which may enter the soil can l4 anddeliver the same to the discharge can 32, the valving parts can bechanged to the relative positions shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. Inthis position the portion 54 of the lever 59 registers with the numeral3 and the notch 35 on the hub 53 registers with the numeral or theindicia open. In such position, there is no flow between the clean canI3 and the patient as the barrel 4| blocks any flow between ports 34 and35. At the same time discharge from the soil can M to discharge can 32is permitted, as a liquid may flow from soil can l4 via tube I1, throughport 25, through registering port 35, through registering passageway 41,through port 49, through registering port 40, through registering port28, and thence via hose 23 to discharge can 32. At the same time liquidsfrom clean can |3 are blocked from entering hose 2| as the bars rel 4|blocks the ports 35 and 31, Y

It it becomes desirable during treatment to lower the back pressurecaused by the elevation .of soil can It, or if it should be desired touse the treating solution only once, then the valving part can be movedto assume the relative positions shown in Fig-9 of the drawings. In thisposition the portion 54 of the lever 5% will register with'numeral 4 andthe notch 85 will register with the numeral 1 or open. In this positionliquids from the clean can I3 flow via tube it, through port 2:1 incasing it, through registering port 34 in the sleeve 33, throughregistering passageway 43 in the barrel 4|, through registering port .38in the sleeve 33, through registering port 2B,through hose 2| and outvia inlet opening 2% in the tube 3! to the colon of the patient. At thesame time discharge from the patient to the discharge can 32 is possiblevia discharge openings 61 in tube 3|, through hose 22, through port 27,through registering port 31, through registering passageway 56, throughpassageway 18, through registering port 0, through registering port 23,andthence via hose 23 to discharge can 32. At the same time liquids mayflow from the soil can I l to the discharge can 32 via tube ll, throughport 25, through registering port through registering passageway .16,through passageway 33, through registering port iii, through registeringport 28, and thence via hose 23 to di charge can 32.

During treatment it is often desirable to provide a dribble or trickleflow of liquid from the 7 clean can it to the patientand to provide fora gas escape from the patient to the discharge can 32. Atmany times thedribble or trickle stream will be such. that it will be absorbed by thetissues of the patient and merely gas will ilow from the patient to thedischarge can 32. Also at times there may be a slight discharge ofliquid as well as gases from the patient to the discharge can 32. Insuch position the valving parts will be in the position shown in Fig..10 of the drawings. There will be a connection from the clean can E3 tothe patient and a connection between the patient and the discharge canThe soil can 54 will not be connected to any other can or to thepatient. In such position the portion of the lever 55 will register withthe numeral 5 and the notch 65 will register with the numeral 1. oropen. In such position liquids from the clean can 53 flow via tube it,through. port through registering port 3 1 in sleeve 33, throughregistering passageway l in the barrel d i, through regis tering port556 in the sleeve 33, through registering port 26 in the casing i3,through hose 2 i, and out via inlet opening 66in the tube l, to thecolon of the patient. At the same time discharge from the patient to thedischarge can 32 possible via discharge openings fi'i in tube 35 throughhose 22, through port 23', through port ill, through regioteringpassageway l'lA, through 1" ageway 515, through registering passagewaythrough par tially registering port it, through registering port 28, andthence via hose 23 to discharge can if during treatment it becomesdesirable to have an emergency relief of gas and this without anyconnection betweer the clean can. and the patient, this be obt ed by therelative positions of the valving par to as shown in In such positionthe portion of the lever 59, registers with thenuineral 2 and the notchl registers with the. numerals or with emit gas. In this position gasmayflow from the patient through openings 6'? in tube 8!, through hose2?, through port 21, through registering port 3i,

through passagewaytdthrough registering port 3'5, through registeringport 25, and thence via hose ii to soil can I l. In this position thereis no connection between the patient and clean can iii. There is a smalldischarge possible from the patient to discharge can 32 as gas inpassageway enters passageway 49, thence port 40, thence port 28 (portsAll and 2'8 are overlapped) and thence through hose 23 to can 32.

If during treatment it is desired to remove the barrel H and yet at thesame time to maintain all ports closed, this can be accomplished byturning the Various valving parts to the positions shown in Fig. 12 ofthe drawing. This position accomplishes all of the purposes of theposition shown in Fig. 6 but the additional purpose of permittingremoval of the barrel 4|. In this position the sleeve 33 blockspassageway between ports Z l and 26 and also between ports 25 and 21.The ports .28 and 48 may or may not be in registration and hence theremay or may not be communication between the valve and the hose 2%. Asthe discharge can 32 is below the valve I5, ports 28 and ill need not beout of registration to prevent now from discharge can 32 to valve IS.The parts assume the relative positions of Fig. 12 with portion at oflever 5E3 registering with any numeral (in Fig, 12 it registers betweennumerals 2 and 3) and notch registers with numeral 3 or shut. In otherwords, sleeve 33 has been angularly moved to block passage between hosesI6 and Bi and between. hoses l1 and 22 regardless of the position ofbarrel. M. Thus during operation of the apparatus the barrel ll can bemoved for cleaning processes and then re-inserted after being cleanedand the process can be again resumed without the necessity of drainingliquids from the apparatus.

From the foregoing it is obvious that .I have provided apparatus so thatdesired medicated solutions can be used in enemas and the same can beplaced in. the apparatus before or after a tube is inserted into thecolon of a patient. The tube of my invention is provided with both inletand outlet means so that the incoming solutions can displace gas andobviate the building up of air or gas pressures or permit the release ofany such if they are built lip without interruption of the treatment.This is of substantial value as the liquids may gradually enter thepatient and with very little head so that the muscles of the patient cangradually relax and there will be a gentle inward flow of treatingsolution to the patient and a gradual discharge of solution and materialfrom the patient. This flow, in many instances, follows the diaphragmaction or the patient and has not occurred. in prior art apparatus wherewe merely have an inflow of liquids and inherent compression of air orgas in the patient to permit such inflow of liquids. Inflow of liquids,without gas or air relief means to keep pressures down, results instimulation of organs and muscles and counteracts any tendency oi." thediaphragm action to cause liquids to have a modulated and gentle inflowand outflow.

Next the apparatus permits disposal of any used solutions and theirreplacement without removal of the tube from the patient or the reuse oftreating solutions.

Next the apparatus permits treating liquids to be used only once, whendesired, and with aminimum back pressure to their discharge.

Next the apparatus permits a regulated minimum inflow of liquids whichwill either gradually add to the supply of treatingliquids or merelysupply enough liquids to replace liquids absorbed by the body. At thesame time the apparatus permits gas discharge and at a minimum backpressure.

Next the apparatus provides for an emergency gas relief which may beneeded and again with-- V nection of the same;

Next the apparatus is provided with air pressure providing means tostimulate inflow and/or outflow from the patient.

Obviously changes may be made in the forms, dimensions, arrangements andmanipulations of the parts of my invention without departing from theprinciples thereof as defined in the claims of this application.

I claim:

1. Enema apparatus comprising a receptacle for clean enema treat ngsolutions; a rece tacle for soiled enema treating solutions the bottomof which. is disposed at an elevation relatively close to and below thebottom of said first mentioned receptacle; a receptacle for the disposalof soiled enema treating solutions disposed at an elevation below thatof said first two mentioned receptacles; a tube having inlet and outletpassageways and disposable in the colon of a patient at an elevationbelow said first two mentioned receptacles and above said last mentionedreceptacle; a plurality of conduit means connecting each of saidreceptacles with said passageways in said tube; and an adjustable valvemeans connected with said conduit means and providing variable closedand open passageways between said passageways in said tube and saidreceptacles, said valve means being adjustable to provide communicationbetween the receptacle forclean treating solutions and a patient and toprovide communication between the patient and the receptacle for soiledtreating solutions and to block communication to the receptacle for thedisposal of treating solutions.

2. Enema apparatus comprising a receptacle for clean enema treatingsolutions; a receptacle for soiled enema treating solutions, the bottomof which is disposed at an elevation relatively close to and below thebottom of said first mentioned receptacle; a receptacle for the disposalof soiled enema treating solutions disposed at an elevation below thatof said first two mentioned receptacles; a tube having inlet and outletpassageways and disposable in the colon of a patient at an elevationbelow said first two mentioned receptacles and above said last mentionedreceptacle; a pinrality of conduit means connecting each of saidreceptacles with said passageways in said tube; and an adjustable valvemeans connected with said conduit means and providing variable closedand open passageways between said passageways in said tube and saidreceptacles, said valve means being adjustable to provide communicationbetween the receptacle for soiled treating solutions and the receptaclefor the disposal of soiled treating solutions and to block communicationbetween the patient and all of the receptacles.

3. Enema apparatus comprising a receptacle for clean enema treatingsolutions; a receptacle for soiled enema treating solutions, the bottomof which is disposed at an elevation relatively close to and below thebottom of said first mentioned receptacle; areceptacle for the disposalof soiled enema treating solutions disposed at an elevation below thatof said first two mentioned receptacles; a tube having inlet and outletpassageways and disposable in the colon of a patient at an elevationbelow said first two mentioned receptacles and above said'last mentionedreceptable; a plurality of conduit means connecting each ofsaidrecept-acles with said passageways in said tube; and an adjustablevalve means connected with said conduit means and providing variableclosed and open passageways between said passageways in said tube andsaid receptaclcs, said valve means being adjustable to providecommunication between the receptacle for clean treating solutions and apatient and between a patient and the receptacle for soiled treatingsolutions and the receptacle for the disposal of soiled treatingsolutions.

4. Enema apparatus comprising a receptacle for clean enema treatingsolutions; a receptacle for soiled enema treating solutions, the bottomof which is disposed at an elevation relatively close to and belowthebottom of said first mentioned receptacle; a receptacle for thedisposal of soiled enema treating solutions disposed at an elevationbelow that of said first two mentioned receptacles; a tube having inletand outlet passageways and disposable in the colon of a patient at anelevation below said first two mentioned receptacles and above said lastmentioned receptacle; a plurality of conduit means connecting each ofsaid receptacles with said passageways in said tube; and an adjustablevalve means connected with said conduit means and providing variableclosed and open passageways between said passageways in said tube andsaid receptacles, said valve means being adjustable to providerestricted communication between a receptacle for clean treatingsolutions and a patient and restricted communication between a patientand the receptacle for the disposal of soiled treating solutions and toblock communication to the receptacle for soiled treating solutions.

5. Enema apparatus comprising a receptacle for clean enema treatingsolution; a receptacle for soiled enema treating solutions, the bottomof which is disposed at an elevation relatively close to and below thebottom of said first men tioned receptacle; a tube having inlet andoutlet passageways and disposable in the colon of a patient at anelevation below said two receptacles; a plurality of conduit meansinterconnecting said receptacle for clean solutions with said inletpassageway and interconnecting said receptacle for soiled solutions withsaid outlet passageways; and adjustable valve means disposed in saidconduit means, said valve means having valving members disposed betweensaid receptacle for clean treating solutions and said inlet passagewayand between said receptacle for soiled treating solutions and saidoutlet passageway, said valve means being adjustable to provideemergency gas relief between a patient and the receptacle for soiledtreating solutions and to block communication between the patient andsaid receptacle for clean treating solutions.

6. Enema apparatus comprising a receptacle for clean enema treatingsolutions; a receptacle for soiled enema treating solutions, the bottomof which is disposed at an elevation relatively, close to and below thebottom of said first mentioned receptacle; a tube having inlet andoutlet passageways and disposable in the colon of a patient at anelevation below said two receptacles; a plurality of conduit meansinterconnecting said 11 receptacle for clean solutions with said inletpassageway and interconnecting said receptacle for soiled solutions withsaid outlet passageway; and adjustable valve means disposed in saidconduit means, said valve means having valving members disposed betweensaid receptacle for clean treating solutions and said inlet passagewayand be' tween said receptacle for soiled treating solutions and saidoutlet passageway, said valve means comprising a casing having aninternal bore and having ports therein, an annular sleeve mounted forangular movement in said casing and having ports movable into and out ofregistration with the ports in the casing, and a barrel mounted forangular movement in said sleeve and having ports movable into and out ofregistration with the ports in said sleeve, whereby the sleeve can blockthe ports in the casing and the barrel can be removed withoutunbloclcing the ports in the casing.

MARY Ev STACK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS

